The Brisbane Airport is the main airport servicing the city of Brisbane through International and Domestic flights. The airport is located 12 miles north-east of the city center.

If you have not booked a private transfer with us then you have a few options to get from the Brisbane Airport to your hotel including trains, taxis, buses and rental cars.

The AirTrain connects passengers from the airport to the city making stops at Central, South Bank, Fortitude Valley and Roma Street stations. The train departs every 15 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes in off-peak hours. The journey to the city stations takes approximately 20 minutes. The trains run from 5:04 am - 10:04 pm during the weekdays and 6:04 am - 10:04 pm on the weekends. A one-way ticket to the city stations costs around AU$17 and a return ticket costs about AU$33, there is a 10% discount when traveling from the airport if you purchase your ticket online. Tickets can be purchased from the Airtrain desks located inside each of the terminals or at the Airtran stations. The Airtrain station in the International Terminal can be found on level 3, the station is located outside of the domestic terminal by crossing over the Skywalk to the station.

Taxis are available 24/7 from the airport and taxi ranks can be found outside both terminals. A 20-minute journey into the city center will cost between AU$45 - AU$55 and Kerbside officers are available during peak hours to assist travelers. The city offers two taxi companies, Black and White cabs and Yellow cabs.

The Translink Bus #590 runs seven days a week from the airport to the city center. From both terminals make your way to the Skygate Center where the bus station can be found. The #590 will take you to Toombul Interchange (train station) where a number of other transportation options can be found to complete your journey. The bus costs around AU$4.

There are several rental car companies available from the airport including Avis, Hertz, and Redspot.

Renting a car while visiting Brisbane is a good idea if you plan to travel around and see other areas of the Gold Coast. However having a car while staying in the city itself is not really necessary due to the abundance of public transportation, the streets inside the CBD are one way which makes it difficult for foreigners to navigate. There is plenty of parking offered in the city but it is expensive costing around AU$40 to park for the day and the roads in the CBD don’t allow parking after 4 pm. Brisbane roads become heavily congested during rush hour, a normal 15-minute journey can quickly turn into over an hour during peak hours.

Brisbane Central Railway Station is the main train station located in the central business district of Brisbane. The station is situated at the northern end of the CBD on Ann Street opposite Anzac Square, there is a pedestrian subway at the corner of Ann and Creek Street which connects Anzac Square to Upper Edward Street. You can walk just about anywhere in the city from Central Station and there are plenty of taxes and bus stops outside the station.

The main forms of public transportation in Brisbane are trains, ferries, and buses all linked by a common ticketing system named `TransLink`. Passengers can make free transfers between the three modes of transport, providing they meet relevant time and zone restrictions. The main hubs for public transport in the city are Queen Stree Bus Station, Roma Street and Central Station for the train and the North Quay for Ferries. Other locations include the Cultural Center busway station and the Queensland Cultural Center as well as the South Bank Parklands. Visit www.translink.com/au for more information.

The Queensland Rail City network consists of seven suburban lines that cover most of the city and surrounding suburbs including the airport line. The first-class transportation option offers a fast and efficient way to get around Brisbane providing travelers with direct access to the city center and the popular attractions. The main train stations in the city are Central, Roma Street, Fortitude Valley, South Bank Station at Vulture Street and South Brisbane at the Cultural Center. The cheapest and easiest way to travel on the trains and other public transportation is to purchase the Go Card. Visit www.translink.com/au for more information.

Taxis are plentiful in the city of Brisbane with two major companies operating, Yellow Cabs (orange colored) and Black and White Cabs. You can hail a taxi from the street, find them at designated taxi ranks across the city, or call and book one in advance by phone. If the light on the roof of the taxi is on then the car is available. Taxis in the city are metered. Note: At night (especially on Friday and Saturday nights) taxis will only exclusively pick up passengers from the dedicated taxi ranks which are monitored by security, from midnight to 5:30am on Friday and Saturday nights you will pay a `FlatFare` which means the price is fixed for any destination and you have to pay before taking the ride. For more information contact Black and White Cabs at tel. 61-13-32-22 and Yellow Cabs at tel.61-13-19-24.

Green Cabs are an eco-friendly and affordable service offered on the weekends and during special events in the city. You can catch a Green Cab from the Wheel of Brisbane, South Bank and between West End and Fortitude Valley.

Buses in Brisbane generally operate from 6 am until 11 pm during the week and some offer 24-hour services on the weekends. Buses can connect passengers with the inner and outer suburbs as well as the CBD and the major retail and tourist attractions in the city. Most bus stations connect to railway and ferry terminals which makes it convenient to switch modes of transport while using the Go Card.

The City Loop and Spring Hill Loop bus (red) offers a free ride and travels clockwise (Route 40) and anti-clockwise (Route 50) around the CBD, the bus runs every 10 minutes from 7 am until 6 pm during the week and can be caught at the red bus stops. Stops include the CBD and the Spring Hill Precinct, the bus is a hop-on, hop-off system.

The NightLink bus runs from midnight until 5 am on Friday and Saturday evenings.

The iconic Brisbane Ferries are known as `CityCats` which provide a scenic and enjoyable ride along the river and a perfect for sightseeing with access to key destinations around the city. These high-speed catamarans stop at the South Bank and the City Center along with other riverside suburbs. CityCats operate 7 days a week and ferries terminate every 15 minutes from 6 am until midnight. CityHopper is another option which runs every 30 minutes and is a free hop-on, hop-off service. Visit www.translink.com/au for more information.

The Go Card is a contactless smart card that allows passengers to travel across the city by buses, trains, CityCats and ferry services. A simple and cost-effective way to travel you simply touch-on as you board and touch-off as you depart. There is an AU$10 deposit required to purchase the card and then you can top up the cards at the designated stations, some newsagents and convenience stores. The Go Card provides passengers with a 30% discount and if you make 8 journeys using the card from Monday to Sunday you will receive half price travel for the following week.

Walking around the city of Brisbane is easy with a flat and condensed central business district which is situated close to the Brisbane River. The beautiful Riverwalk is a permanent 230 ft long path the travels over the river runs between New Farm towards the CBD. The South Bank Parklands spread over 40 acres of land along the Brisbane River, this scenic area features sprawling lawns, playgrounds, restaurants, recreation and leisure activities with stunning views of the skyline. There is also a man-made beach located at the parklands featuring swimming pools, lagoons, sand, and waves. Take a walk around the beautiful Brisbane Botanic Gardens also found here or hike up Mount Coot-tha featuring hiking and walking trails through the dense rainforest.

Riding a bike in Brisbane is a very popular thing to do and a great way to get out and see all the wonderful sights and attractions the city has to offer. The city offers extensive bicycle paths and off-road bikeways that connect riders all over the city. The Southbank Parklands is a great place to take a leisurely ride and along the scenic Riverwalk path.

Brisbane City Council offers the CityCycle bike share program where visitors can rent 2,000 different bikes at 150 different stations located throughout the city. You can rent for a 24-hour period for AU$2 or a week for AU$11, as long as you return the bikes within the 30 minute time period (or additional charges apply). You can also rent bicycles in the center of the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens. Visit www.citycycle.com/au for more information.

Please Note: If riding a bike in the city a helmet is required! It is the law and you can be fined up to UA$150 if caught not wearing one. Most of the rentals places and stations have helmets to hire.

Brisbane is a safe city to visit with a relatively low crime rate compared to other cities of its size. The same rules apply when visiting the city as with any other destination around the world, use common sense and practice your street smarts when out and about visiting tourist attractions. Keep your valuables secure at all times, don’t carry around large amounts of cash, don`t wander into unpopulated areas at night or travel alone when it is dark out. Watch out for pickpockets in crowded areas especially in and around public transportation and shopping areas.

Shopping in the Sunshine Capital of Queensland offers visitors a shopping experience like no other with premier shopping precincts, up-scale malls, bustling streets lined with beautiful unique boutiques and the Brisbane Markets. The city has something to offer every shopper and a beautiful environment to go along with it, wander along the exclusive Queen Street Mall, offering laneways filled with retail stores and food outlets, head to Queens Plaza for luxury name brands including Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Tiffany and Co. James Street is a high end fashion strip offering Australian and International brands along with some of the best eateries in the city. The Valley is a luxury precinct offering plenty of upscale stores and fine dining. There are more than 1,000 stores spread throughout the city, it has the largest number of flagship stores in the state.

The locals in Brisbane love their farmer`s markets which can be found on the weekends in almost every suburb. Check out the Davies Park Market on Saturday`s, the Jane Powerhouse Markets on Saturdays and the Jan Powers City Farmer`s Market on Wednesdays found in the CBD. The Stanley Street Plaza hosts a bustling market on Friday evenings and weekends filled with designers offering local arts, crafts, and eclectic clothing.

Brisbane is the host to hundreds of festivals, outdoor events and cultural celebrations throughout the year, be sure to check them out on your trip to the Sunshine State. Here are a few to choose from:

Valley Fiesta – A 3-day festival packed with music, food, art, fashion and markets in the day and the Brunswick St stage music festival at night.

BrisAsia Festival – A cultural event showcasing traditional and contemporary Asian arts offering some of the finest theatre, food, dance, and music.

West End Fire Festival – Held every month in Orleigh Park, a fun-filled family event with a fire-spinning and drum circle.

Brisbane Festival – Held annually around the South Bank Parklands, the Cultural Center and the CBD where a number of small events take place to celebrate the city.

Riverfire – Held in September in the South Bank Parklands with free family entertainment and the largest firework display.

The units of currency in Australia is the Australian Dollar (AU$). US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for Australian Dollars upon arrival. Currency exchange desks can be found at the airport and many locations throughout the city. For a more detailed information, consult our guide to tipping in Australia

The city of Brisbane offers visitors a stunning selection of cuisine and dining establishments, the city and the locals take pride in their food and therefore visitors can enjoy an excess of delectable food offered in stunning locations. Visitors to the city can revel in al fresco dining in the Sunshine capital all year round, sit and sip on coffee at one of the cozy cafes, refresh with a brew and some fish and chips at one of the local pubs in the beer garden or reward your taste buds at one of the many street food scenes in the city.

The menus in Brisbane offer a diverse selection of food including famous Moreton Bay prawns and locally grown ingredients blended to make the perfect meal. Visitors will be awarded an abundance of diverse cuisine in the city including Asian, Western, German, Italian, French and Greek. There are plenty of burger joints in Brisbane as well as barbeques located in the local parks where you can grill up some meat on the `Barbie`. Seafood is delicious and caught fresh in the city, along with some of the best fish and chips! Be sure to check out the popular street food scene in the city with a fleet of food trucks and mini markets serving up some of the freshest eats around.

Nightlife in Brisbane is world-class and award-winning. The city has been ranked as one of the top 5 hotspots for music by US entertainment Billboard magazine. Check out the local magazine the `Scene` for information on live music and entertainment that can be found around the city.

`The Valley` or Fortitude Valley is the exclusive heart of the live music scene in Brisbane. The area features the highest cluster of nightlife establishments including bars, pubs, and clubs along with living music and entertainment. The area was awarded the first and only `Special Entertainment precinct` in Australia, promoting and protecting the live music scene.

Soak up the fabulous weather and atmosphere here by visiting one of Brisbane`s rooftop bar locations, many of which offer breathtaking views of the city at night. Eleven Rooftop Bar is a posh bar and restaurant in the sky located in the valley.

The Riverside and South Bank are happening places in the evening time, boasting waterfront bars and eateries ready to wine and dine you. River Quay is situated at the south end of South Bank where upscale dining and a cozy bars for a sophisticated night out on the town.

In case of an emergency dial 000 for Police, Fire, and Ambulance.

Hospitals:

Mater Hospital Brisbane tel. 61-7-3068-1111

Brisbane Private Hospital tel. 61-7-3834-6111

Lady Cilento Children`s Hospital tel. 61-7-3068-1111

St Vincent`s Private Hospital tel. 61-7-3240-1111